Wahoos Walk Off With 3-2 Extra Inning Win

June 5, 2012

Pensacola first baseman Joel Guzman singled into center field to score shortstop Didi Gregorius from third in the 11th inning, while right fielder Josh Fellhauer recorded four hits, as the Blue Wahoos walked off with a 3-2 extra-inning victory over the Jacksonville Suns on Monday evening at Pensacola Bayfront Stadium.

The win snaps the Fish’s four-game losing streak and improves their record to 26-32 this year, while the Suns now own a 27-31 mark with the defeat. Despite the loss, Jacksonville still owns a 2-1 series lead over the Blue Wahoos.

Gregorius began the 11th with a single and advanced to second on Fellhauer’s base knock, his fourth of the contest, before both moved an extra base on a wild pitch to set the stage of Guzman. The 27-year-old subsequently bounced the 1-1 pitch up the middle into center field to send in Gregorius and start the celebration.

The Blue Wahoos also scored the game’s first runs of the contest with two tallies in the first frame. CF Ryan LaMarre led off with a double and went to third on Gregorius’ single, before both scored on a throwing error from Suns CF Donnie Webb to take the early advantage.

The Suns however drew the margin even in the fourth with the longball. 2B Paul Gran was hit by a pitch to start the frame, while 1B German Duran lifted the very next pitch over the left field wall for his third roundtripper of the year. Both teams then were held silent until Pensacola’s score in the 11th.

Neither starting pitcher, Suns RHP Bryan Evans and Blue Wahoos RHP Kyle Lotzkar received decisions despite solid outings from each. Lotzkar (7.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 10 SO) fanned a season-high ten batters and gave up just two runs on seven hits in seven frames, while Evans (6.0 IP, 6 H, 2 R, 0 ER, 5 SO) gave up two unearned runs on six hits in six frames.

Pensacola relief pitchers Curtis Partch (3.0 IP, 1 H, 5 SO) and Justin Freeman (1.0 IP, 1 SO) combined to yield just one hit in the final four innings support of Lotzkar, with Freeman earning the win while Jacksonville reliever Corey Madden (2.2 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 SO) suffered the loss. Blue Wahoos hurlers combined for a season-high 16 punchouts in the contest.

Fellhauer’s (4-5) four hits matched a single-game career-high, with his last such contest coming on April 9, 2011, when he was with High-A Bakersfield. Gregorius (3-5, 2 R) was the only other Blue Wahoos batter with a multi-hit effort, while Suns SS Jeff Dominguez (2-5, 1 3B) collected two base knocks for his club.

Before and during the contest, the 4-A state champion Pensacola Catholic high school baseball team was honored on the field and on the dugout for their accomplishment. They received a standing ovation from the large crowd on hand.

Pensacola and Jacksonville are scheduled to square off again Tuesday evening for their fourth game of the series, with first pitch set for 7:00 pm. The Blue Wahoos are slated to give the ball to RHP Daniel Corcino, while LHP Graham Taylor is expected to get the nod for the Suns.

By Andrew Green

Pictured top: Joel Guzman’s walk off single in the 11th gave the Fish a 3-2 win Monday night. Photo by Chris Nelson for NorthEscambia.com, click to enlarge.

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Written by William Reynolds · Filed Under News, Sports, TOP sports